'Game of Thrones' actor to support animal charity

Peter Dinklage says he will support Farm Sanctuary to promote the welfare of animals raised for food.

Peter Dinklage is using his fame to help raise awareness of the plight of animals raised on factory farms.

The 43-year-old, who plays Tyrion Lannister in HBO's "Game of Thrones," has announced that he will use his downtime between seasons to help promote Farm Sanctuary's Walk for Farm Animals campaign. The fundraising event, which takes place in more than 35 cities in the U.S., helps support the charity's rescued animals and the group's efforts against factory farming abuses.

"Each year, billions of animals are subjected to cruelty on factory farms, feed lots, and slaughterhouses," Dinklage says in a new PSA for the organization. "The brutality that these animals endure would be grounds for felony cruelty charges if inflicted upon our cats and dogs."

Dinklage, who is a vegetarian and has previously supported animal orgs like PETA, says he's joining the cause because he felt "animals used for food are treated like unfeeling machinery."

Last year's Walk for Farm Animals raised more than $440,000 for Farm Sanctuary and included the participation of more than 4,500 walkers. To find out more about the 2012 event, jump here.